Excitement as Delta shoppers get the Shoprite experience

The Delta Mall, popularly called Shoprite in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State is the latest toast for shoppers and fun-seekers in, not just the twin cities of Effurun and Warri, but for their counterparts from all over the state and as far as neighbouring Edo State.

Two false starts leading to the inauguration of the facility, strategically located at the Effurun Roundabout, failed to curb the enthusiasm of shoppers, especially fashion-savvy young girls and ladies, who are constantly in search for new location to take selfies to be posted on Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites.

Originally billed for opening in the last weeks of 2014, the first phase of the project was officially inaugurated on May 27 by former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. It was, in fact, one of the last ceremonies performed by the outgone governor and perhaps his best gift to leisure.

But a week earlier before the official opening ceremony, revelers from Asaba, Ughelli, Sapele and other towns had thronged the popular Shoprite section of the mall, following the decision of one of the shops to throw its gates open earlier.

Although the number of visitors on that day could not be ascertained, some sources said several thousands of men, women and children walked through the door.

“The crowd that day was so much that people were carrying their shopping baskets on their heads because it was a throng of bodies all the way. So many people came to have a feel of the famous Shoprite that they had been hearing. In spite of the numerous air-conditioners, the place was very hot because I don’t think the management anticipated that much crowd,” Yole, one of the early callers, told our reporter.

Within minutes after the doors were opened, the social media was awash with pix of the young and old who were happy to be the first to get a feel of the facilities. The transparent branded shopping bags favoured by the departmental shop became a symbol of sort as those who “have been there” flaunted it across the nooks and crannies of Warri and environs.

Three weeks after, at the time of this report, the hunger of shoppers is yet to be sated, with the mall still recording several thousands of shoppers and casual visitor daily despite that majority of shops within it are yet to be opened for business, despite that construction works are still going on everywhere, including the car lots. Our check showed that at least 70 percent of the stalls are yet to open for business.

A staff at one of the other shops told Niger Delta Report that some of the franchise owners were still redesigning and carrying out reconstruction works on their stalls to make them suitable for their businesses.

Some of the shoppers who spoke with NDR said they were attracted by the relatively cheaper prices of goods at the mall. They expressed surprise that most items at the mall, especially household goods and food items, were cheaper than the regular markets in spite of the exotic ambience.

Mr Larry Ovwromo, Principal Partner at the law firm, Larry Ovwromoh & Associate, expressed hope that the coming of Delta Mall would stop extortion and cutthroat practices of some business owners in the city.

However, our investigation revealed that not all shoppers are that excited. A middle-aged man who described himself as “a regular travelers outside the shores of Nigeria” decried alleged exploitation of Nigerians by the South African outfits.

“Of all the countries where I have visited and shop at Shoprite, items on sale in the Nigeria’s outfits are the most expensive. I have done comparative analysis and found out that Nigerians are being exploited. People are excited because they have been yearning for this kind of shopping experience, but the reality is that it could be better,” the complainant who simply gave his name as Sheu, added.

Sheu said it was necessary for the Federal Government and relevant agencies, including consumer protection agency, to look into prices at not just the shop, but other foreign companies who he said are ripping off Nigerians.

Although there was no competent management staff at the mall to comment on the allegation, a senior supervisor who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our reporter that it was impossible to get uniform prices for shops in Nigeria and South Africa for goods manufactured in the latter.

“Also, we have to look at the issue of infrastructure; we spend huge sum of money on power generation; diesel and petrol cost a lot of money. We need to keep this place cool for the volume of customers that come here and also to ensure that dairy and farm products are fresh for consumers.”

Nevertheless, for shoppers and fun seekers like Yole, the immediate need is where to relax, get snacks and take selfies.